Altec Lansing MX 5021 subtitute

revvedup · 24th October 2009, 06:01

My 5021's satellites were stolen last year and ever since I have only had the sub woofer / amplifier with me. I was thinking of pairing the altec's amplifier with some nice bookshelves. Any recommendations ?

How important is it to get the impedance right ? I know that impedance matching leads to maximum current transfer. Does this mean I can only get 6 Ohm speakers if my amp sends out a 6 Ohm signal. I ask cause I got a pair of 8 Ohm bookshelves that did not work with the altec's amp. the same would be returned tomorrow.

DerAlte · 24th October 2009, 12:15

What exactly do you mean by 'did not work with the Altec amp'? No sound was produced at all?

There must be something else wrong. Impedance mismatch will either lead to amp overheating or low output, but in either case you will get some sound.

revvedup · 24th October 2009, 22:10

No sound was produced at all. The speakers had a return poilicy so I just tested one of the speakers on both the channels and using two different sets of wires.

Now I am left wondering as to what to buy within my budget - new bookshelves or a complete set of new speakers ?

SirAlec · 24th October 2009, 22:34

ofcourse! it won't work.

as one of the pair you lost (in Altec Lansing MX 5021) is not just a speaker but it houses a controller also.

The amp can be used, but you have to open and mod it. If you know little bit electronics its easier to figure out.

DerAlte · 25th October 2009, 21:12

Yes, the volume and tone controls is in one of the speakers. Shouldn't be difficult to figure out the signal routing from the amp board in the sub unit, and then the required potentiometers can be connected. If you can do that, then any speaker should work.

sandeepmdas · 25th October 2009, 22:45

Perhaps you may find this link useful:
Jimmy’s Junkyard » Blog Archive » Inside Altec Lansing MX5021: Amplifier Mod

low_bass_makker · 26th October 2009, 00:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirAlec

ofcourse! it won't work.

as one of the pair you lost (in Altec Lansing MX 5021) is not just a speaker but it houses a controller also.

The amp can be used, but you have to open and mod it. If you know little bit electronics its easier to figure out.

If I am not wrong there is not like such. The sub woofer enclosure has the amp inside. The controller is attached to the sub. The satellites are just normal speakers. You can easily use 8 ohms speakers with them. Like you said you tried one pair and it did not worked then there must be some problem with the woofer module. Get it check first.

24th October 2009, 06:01	#1
revvedup BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 269 Thanked: 24 Times	Altec Lansing MX 5021 subtitute My 5021's satellites were stolen last year and ever since I have only had the sub woofer / amplifier with me. I was thinking of pairing the altec's amplifier with some nice bookshelves. Any recommendations ? How important is it to get the impedance right ? I know that impedance matching leads to maximum current transfer. Does this mean I can only get 6 Ohm speakers if my amp sends out a 6 Ohm signal. I ask cause I got a pair of 8 Ohm bookshelves that did not work with the altec's amp. the same would be returned tomorrow.
	() Thanks

24th October 2009, 12:15	#2
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,027 Thanked: 2,920 Times	What exactly do you mean by 'did not work with the Altec amp'? No sound was produced at all? There must be something else wrong. Impedance mismatch will either lead to amp overheating or low output, but in either case you will get some sound.
	() Thanks

24th October 2009, 22:10	#3
revvedup BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 269 Thanked: 24 Times	No sound was produced at all. The speakers had a return poilicy so I just tested one of the speakers on both the channels and using two different sets of wires. Now I am left wondering as to what to buy within my budget - new bookshelves or a complete set of new speakers ?
	() Thanks

24th October 2009, 22:34	#4
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 727 Times	ofcourse! it won't work. as one of the pair you lost (in Altec Lansing MX 5021) is not just a speaker but it houses a controller also. The amp can be used, but you have to open and mod it. If you know little bit electronics its easier to figure out.
	() Thanks

25th October 2009, 21:12	#5
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,027 Thanked: 2,920 Times	Yes, the volume and tone controls is in one of the speakers. Shouldn't be difficult to figure out the signal routing from the amp board in the sub unit, and then the required potentiometers can be connected. If you can do that, then any speaker should work.
	() Thanks

25th October 2009, 22:45	#6
sandeepmdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: 695141, SY208AA Posts: 1,577 Thanked: 2,803 Times	Perhaps you may find this link useful: Jimmy’s Junkyard » Blog Archive » Inside Altec Lansing MX5021: Amplifier Mod
	() Thanks